FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
28
Decision 6/CP.25
Revision of the UNFCCC reporting guidelines on national
communications for Parties included in Annex I to the
Convention
The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling the relevant provisions of the Convention, in particular Articles 4, 5, 6 and
12, and decisions 9/CP.2, 11/CP.4, 4/CP.5, 1/CP.16, 2/CP.17, 19/CP.18, 24/CP.19 and
9/CP.21, related to reporting from Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, as well as
decision 1/CP.24, paragraphs 3943, related to the transparency framework for action and
support referred to in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement,
Also recalling its request to the Subsidiary Body for Implementation to revise the
“Guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex I
to the Convention, Part II: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on national communications”
1
based on the experiences gained in preparing the first biennial reports and other information,
2
1. Adopts the revised Guidelines for the preparation of national communications by
Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, Part II: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on
national communications” contained in the annex;
2. Decides that Parties included in Annex I to the Convention shall use the guidelines
referred to in paragraph 1 above in preparing their national communications, beginning with
the eighth national communications;
3. Also decides to change the due date for submission of the eighth national
communications and the fifth biennial reports by Parties included in Annex I to the
Convention from 1 January 2022
3
to as early as the annual greenhouse gas inventory
submission for inventory year 2020 is provided to the UNFCCC, but no later than 31
December 2022, in order to provide Parties with the opportunity to include the inventory data
in these reports;
4. Further decides that all references to decision 4/CP.5 in decision 1/CP.24 shall be
read as references to decision 6/CP.25.
1
Adopted in decision 4/CP.5 and contained in document FCCC/CP/1999/7.
2
Decision 2/CP.17, para. 18.
3
Decision 2/CP.17, paras. 1314.
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Annex
Guidelines for the preparation of national communications
by Parties included in Annex I to the Convention, Part II:
UNFCCC reporting guidelines on national communications
I. Objectives
1. The objectives of these guidelines are to:
(a) Assist Parties included in Annex I to the Convention (Annex I Parties) in
meeting their commitments under Articles 4 and 12 of the Convention;
(b) Promote the provision of consistent, transparent, comparable, accurate and
complete information in order to enable a thorough review and assessment of the
implementation of the Convention by Parties, and to monitor the progress that Annex I Parties
are making towards meeting their goals under the Convention;
(c) Assist the Conference of the Parties (COP) in carrying out its responsibility to
review the implementation of the Convention pursuant to its Article 7, paragraph 2(a), and
the adequacy of the commitments under Article 4, paragraph 2(a) and (b), in accordance with
Article 4, paragraph 2(d), of the Convention.
II. Executive summary
2. The national communication shall include an executive summary that summarizes the
information and data contained in the full document. The executive summary shall consist of
no more than 15 pages.
III. National circumstances relevant to greenhouse gas emissions
and removals
3. Parties shall provide a description of their national circumstances, how the national
circumstances affect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals, and how the national
circumstances and changes therein affect GHG emissions and removals over time. Parties
should provide information on how their national circumstances are relevant to factors
affecting GHG emissions and removals, including disaggregated indicators, to explain the
relationship between the national circumstances and emissions or removals. Parties may
provide whatever information best describes their own national circumstances and historical
trends. However, in order to improve the comparability of national communications,
reporting information under the following headings is recommended:
(a) Government structure: for example, roles and responsibilities of different
levels of government and relevant interministerial decision-making processes or bodies;
(b) Population profile: for example, total population, density and distribution;
(c) Economic profile: for example, gross domestic product (GDP), GDP per capita
(expressed in domestic currency and purchasing power parity), GDP by sector and
international trade patterns;
(d) Geographical profile: for example, area, latitude, land use and ecosystems;
(e) Climate profile: for example, temperature distribution, annual temperature
variation, precipitation distribution, climate variability and extreme events;
(f) Energy (by fuel type, where appropriate): for example, energy resource base,
production, market structure, prices, taxes, subsidies and trade;
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(g) Transportation: for example, modes (passenger and freight), travel distances
and fleet characteristics;
(h) Industry: for example, structure;
(i) Waste: for example, waste sources and management practices;
(j) Building stock and urban structure: for example, profile of residential and
commercial buildings;
(k) Agriculture: for example, structure and management practices;
(l) Forest: for example, types and management practices;
(m) Other circumstances.
Flexibility in accordance with Article 4, paragraphs 6 and 10, of the
Convention
4. Parties requesting flexibility or consideration in accordance with Article 4, paragraphs
6 and 10, of the Convention shall state the type of special consideration that they are seeking
and provide a full explanation of their circumstances.
IV. Greenhouse gas inventory information
A. Summary tables
5. Summary information from the national GHG inventory prepared in accordance with
the “Guidelines for the preparation of national communications by Parties included in Annex
I to the Convention, Part I: UNFCCC reporting guidelines on annual greenhouse gas
inventories” (hereinafter referred to as the UNFCCC Annex I inventory reporting guidelines)
(annex I to decision 24/CP.19 and any relevant decisions adopted subsequently by the COP)
shall be provided for the period from 1990 (or another base year) to the latest year reported
in the most recent annual inventory submission available (the most recent inventory year).
The information provided in the national communication should be consistent with that
provided in the most recent annual inventory submission available (for the year prior to the
due date of submission of the national communication) and any differences should be fully
explained.
6. For the purpose of the national communication, complete inventory information need
not be provided. However, at a minimum, Parties shall report the summary of GHG emissions
and removals, including the information expressed in carbon dioxide (CO
2
) equivalent in
emission trend tables provided in the common reporting format contained in the UNFCCC
Annex I inventory reporting guidelines. Parties may elect to replicate the information
reported in the biennial report submitted with the national communication. The tables may
be provided as an annex, as part of the national communication rather than in the main text.
B. Descriptive summary
7. In the main text of the national communication, Parties should provide a descriptive
summary and figures illustrating the GHG emissions reported in the summary tables referred
to in paragraph 6 above. Parties should provide a description of the factors underlying
emission trends.
C. National inventory arrangements
8. Parties shall provide summary information on their national inventory arrangements
in accordance with the reporting requirements related to national inventory arrangements
contained in the UNFCCC Annex I inventory reporting guidelines and on any changes to
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those national inventory arrangements since their previous national communication or
biennial report.
V. Policies and measures
A. Selection of policies and measures to be reported in the national
communication
9. In accordance with Article 12, paragraph 2, of the Convention, Parties shall
communicate information on policies and measures adopted to implement their commitments
under Article 4, paragraph 2(a) and (b), of the Convention, which need not have the limitation
or reduction of GHG emissions or the enhancement of removals as a primary objective.
10. In their reporting, Parties should give priority to policies and measures, or
combinations of policies and measures, that have the most significant impact on GHG
emissions and removals, and they may also indicate those that are innovative and/or
effectively replicable by other Parties. Parties may report on adopted policies and measures
and those in the planning stage, but should clearly distinguish them from implemented
policies and measures. The national communication does not have to report every policy and
measure that affects GHG emissions.
11. Policies and measures reported on should be: those implemented (those for which one
or more of the following applies: (1) national legislation is in force; (2) one or more voluntary
agreements have been established; (3) financial resources have been allocated; and (4) human
resources have been mobilized); those adopted (those for which an official government
decision has been made and there is a clear commitment to proceed with implementation);
and/or those planned (options under discussion or announced and with a realistic chance of
being adopted and implemented in the future) by governments at the national, state,
provincial, regional and local levels, as applicable. Furthermore, policies and measures
reported may also include those adopted in the context of regional or international efforts.
12. Parties should report on actions taken to implement their commitments under Article
4, paragraph 2(e)(ii), of the Convention, which requires them to identify and periodically
update their own policies and practices that encourage activities that lead to greater levels of
anthropogenic GHG emissions than would otherwise occur. Parties should also provide the
rationale for such actions in the context of their national communications.
13. Parties are encouraged to provide, to the extent possible, detailed information on the
assessment of the economic and social consequences of response measures.
B. Structure of the policies and measures section of the national
communication
14. Parties shall organize the reporting on policies and measures by sector, indicating
which GHGs (CO
2
, methane (CH
4
), nitrous oxide (N
2
O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF
6
) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF
3
)) are
affected by which policies and measures. To the extent appropriate, the following sectors
should be considered: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use,
agriculture, forestry/land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste
management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting. Each sector shall have its own textual
description of the significant policies and measures, as set out in section D below,
supplemented by table 1 below. Parties may include separate text describing cross-sectoral
policies and measures. Policies and measures influencing GHG emissions from international
transport should be reported under the transport sector.
15. In cases where a policy or measure has been maintained over time and is thoroughly
described in a Party’s previous national communication and/or biennial report, reference
should be made to it and only a brief description contained in the latest national
communication, focusing on any alterations to the policy or measure or effects achieved.
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16. Some information, such as the effect of policies and measures, may be presented in
aggregate for several complementary measures in a particular sector or affecting a particular
gas.
C. Policymaking process
17. The national communication should describe the overall policy context, including any
national targets for GHG mitigation. Strategies for sustainable development, long-term
mitigation strategies or other relevant policy objectives may also be covered.
18. The national communication should provide a description of the way in which
progress with policies and measures to mitigate GHG emissions is monitored and evaluated
over time. Institutional arrangements for the monitoring of GHG mitigation policy should
also be reported in this context.
D. Policies and measures and their effects
19. The presentation of each policy or measure shall include information on each of the
subject headings listed below. The presentation of each policy or measure should be concise
and include the details suggested after each subject heading as follows:
(a) Name of policy or measure;
(b) Sector(s) affected. To the extent possible, the following sectors should be used:
energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture,
forestry/LULUCF, waste management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting, as appropriate;
(c) The GHG(s) affected;
(d) Objective and/or activity affected. The description of the objectives should
focus on the key purposes and benefits of the policy or measure, including a description of
activities and/or source and sink categories affected. Objectives should be described in
quantitative terms, to the extent possible;
(e) Type of instrument. To the extent possible, the following terms should be used:
economic, fiscal, voluntary agreement, regulatory, information, education, research or other;
(f) Status of implementation. It should be noted whether the policy or measure is
no longer in place, in the planning stage, has been adopted or is under implementation. For
adopted and implemented measures, additional information may include the funds already
provided, future budget allocated and the time frame for implementation;
(g) Brief description of the policy or measure;
(h) Start year of implementation;
(i) Implementing entity or entities. This should describe the role of national, state,
provincial, regional and local governments and the involvement of any other entities;
(j) Estimate of mitigation impact (for a particular year, not cumulative, in
kt CO
2
eq).
20. In the description of each policy or measure or set of complementary measures
reported, Parties shall include, as appropriate, a quantitative estimate of the impact of
individual policies or measures or collections of policies and measures (if such estimation is
not possible, Parties shall explain why), including estimated changes in activity levels and/or
emissions and removals due to adopted and implemented policies and measures reported and
a brief description of estimation methods. Estimates should be presented for a particular year,
ending in either a zero or a five, following the most recent inventory year.
21. Parties may also provide information under the following headings for each policy or
measure reported:
(a) Information on costs of policy or measure. Such information should be
accompanied by a brief definition of the term ‘cost’ in this context;
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(b) Information on non-GHG mitigation benefits. Such benefits may include, for
example, reduced emissions of other pollutants, or health benefits;
(c) Information on how it interacts with other policies and measures at the
national level. This may include a description of how policies complement each other in
order to enhance overall GHG mitigation.
22. In the light of the information provided in paragraph 34 below, Parties shall provide
information on how they believe their policies and measures are modifying longer-term
trends in anthropogenic GHG emissions and removals consistent with the objective of the
Convention.
E. Policies and measures no longer in place
23. When policies and measures listed in previous national communications are no longer
in place, Parties may explain why this is so.
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Table 1
Summary of policies and measures by sector
Name of policy
or measure
a
Sector(s)
affected
b
GHG(s)
affected
Objective
and/or
activity
affected
Type of
instrument
c
Status of
implementation
d
Brief
description
e
Start year of
implementation
Implementing
entity or
entities
Estimate of mitigation
impact (not cumulative, in
kt CO
2
eq)
20XX
f
2020
Note: The two final columns specify the year identified by the Party for estimating impacts (based on the status of the measure and whether an ex post or ex ante
estimation is available).
Abbreviation: GHG = greenhouse gas.
a
Parties should use an asterisk (*) to indicate that the policy or measure is included in the ‘with measures’ projection.
b
To the extent possible, the following sectors should be used: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/land use, land-use
change and forestry, waste management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting, as appropriate.
c
To the extent possible, the following types of instrument should be referred to: economic, fiscal, voluntary agreement, regulatory, information, education, research and
other.
d
To the extent possible, the following descriptive terms should be used to report on the status of implementation: implemented, adopted and planned.
e
Additional information may be provided on the cost of the policy or measure and the relevant timescale.
f
Optional year or years deemed relevant by the Party.
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VI. Projections and total effect of policies and measures
A. Purpose
24. The primary objective of the projections section of the national communication is to
give an indication of future trends in GHG emissions and removals, given current national
circumstances and implemented and adopted policies and measures, and to give an indication
of the path of emissions and removals without such policies and measures.
B. Projections
25. At a minimum, Parties shall report a with measures’ projection, in accordance with
paragraph 26 below, and may report ‘without measures’ and with additional measures’
projections.
26. A ‘with measures’ projection shall encompass currently implemented and adopted
policies and measures. If provided, a ‘with additional measures’ projection also encompasses
planned policies and measures. If provided, a without measures projection excludes all
policies and measures implemented, adopted or planned after the year chosen as the starting
point for that projection. In their reporting, Parties may refer to their ‘without measures’
projection as a ‘baseline’ or ‘reference’ projection, for example, if preferred, but should
explain the nature of that projection.
27. Parties may report a sensitivity analysis for any of the projections, but should aim to
limit the number of scenarios presented. Parties may provide the results of a sensitivity
analysis for the reported GHG emissions together with a brief explanation of the
methodologies and parameters used.
C. Presentation of projections relative to actual data
28. Emission projections shall be presented relative to actual inventory data for the
preceding years.
29. For the ‘with measures’ and ‘with additional measures’ projections, the starting point
should generally be the most recent inventory year. Parties may provide a ‘without measures’
projection starting from an earlier year.
30. Parties should present their projections relative to unadjusted inventory data for the
preceding years presented in the most recent annual inventory submission available. In
addition, Parties may present their projections relative to adjusted inventory data. In that case,
Parties shall explain the nature of the adjustments.
D. Coverage and presentation
31. Projections shall be presented on a sectoral basis. To the extent possible, the sectoral
categories used should be the same as in the GHG inventories.
32. Projections shall be presented on a gas-by-gas basis for the following GHGs: CO
2
,
CH
4
, N
2
O, PFCs, HFCs, SF
6
and NF
3
(treating PFCs and HFCs collectively in each case).
Parties may also provide projections of indirect emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen
oxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds, as well as sulphur oxide. In addition,
projections shall be provided in an aggregated format for each sector as well as for a national
total, using global warming potential values agreed upon by the COP.
33. To ensure consistency with inventory reporting, emission projections related to fuel
sold to ships and aircraft engaged in international transport shall, to the extent possible, be
reported separately and not included in the national total.
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34. In view of the objective of the Convention and the intent to modify longer-term trends
in emissions and removals, Parties should include information on historical emissions and
removals on a quantitative basis for the period from 1990 (or another base year, as
appropriate) to the most recent inventory year. The information should be presented for 1990
(and another base year, as appropriate), 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010 and subsequent years that
end in either a zero or a five up to the most recent inventory year. Parties should include
projections on a quantitative basis, starting from the most recent inventory year and for
subsequent years that end in either a zero or a five, extending at least 15 years from the most
recent inventory year (e.g. 2020, 2025, 2030 and 2035). Projections and information on
historical emissions and removals should be presented in tabular format. The tabular format
used shall be as in tables 2, 3 and 4 below. For Parties using a base year other than 1990 for
their GHG inventories, in accordance with Article 4, paragraph 6, of the Convention,
inventory data for that year shall be given.
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Table 2
Information on updated greenhouse gas projections under a ‘with measures’ scenario
a
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
Sector
g, h
Energy
Transport
Industry/industrial processes and
product use
Agriculture
Forestry/LULUCF
Waste management/waste
Other (specify)
Gas
CO
2
emissions including net CO
2
from LULUCF
CO
2
emissions excluding net CO
2
from LULUCF
CH
4
emissions including CH
4
from LULUCF
CH
4
emissions excluding CH
4
from LULUCF
N
2
O emissions including N
2
O
from LULUCF
N
2
O emissions excluding N
2
O
from LULUCF
HFCs
PFCs
SF
6
Other (specify, e.g. NF
3
)
Total with LULUCF
i
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GHG emissions and removals
b, c
(kt CO
2
eq)
GHG emission projections
c, d
(kt CO
2
eq)
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
Total without LULUCF
Abbreviations: GHG = greenhouse gas, LULUCF = land use, land-use change and forestry.
a
In accordance with paragraph 25 of these guidelines, at a minimum Parties shall report a ‘with measures’ projection and they may also report ‘without measures’ and
‘with additional measures’ projections. If a Party chooses to report a ‘without measures’ and/or ‘with additional measures’ projection, it is to use table 3 and/or 4 below,
respectively. If a Party does not choose to report a ‘without measures’ or ‘with additional measures’ projection, then it should not include table 3 or 4 in its national
communication.
b
Emissions and removals reported in these columns should be as reported in the most recent annual inventory submission available and consistent with the emissions and
removals reported in the table on GHG emissions and trends provided in accordance with section IV of these guidelines. Where the sectoral breakdown differs from that
reported in the GHG inventory, Parties should explain in their national communication how the inventory sectors relate to the sectors reported in this table.
c
Parties may include indirect CO
2
emissions in historical GHG emissions and in GHG emission projections and shall indicate this in a custom footnote below.
d
Parties should include projections on a quantitative basis starting from the most recent inventory year and for subsequent years that end in either a zero or a five,
extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
e
The most recent inventory year.
f
A year that ends in either a zero or a five following the most recent inventory year, extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
g
In accordance with paragraph 31 of these guidelines, projections shall be presented on a sectoral basis, to the extent possible, using the same sectoral categories as used
in the GHG inventories. This table should follow, to the extent possible, the same sectoral categories as those listed in paragraph 14 of these guidelines; namely, to the
extent appropriate, the following sectors should be considered: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting.
h
To the extent possible, the following sectors should be used: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste and other sectors (i.e. cross-cutting), as appropriate.
i
Parties may choose to report total emissions with or without LULUCF, as appropriate.
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Table 3
Information on updated greenhouse gas projections under a ‘without measures’ scenario
a
GHG emissions and removals
b, c
(kt CO
2
eq)
GHG emissions and removals
c, d
(kt CO
2
eq)
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
20ZZ
g
Sector
h, i
Energy
Transport
Industry/industrial processes and
product use
Agriculture
Forestry/LULUCF
Waste management/waste
Other (specify)
Gas
CO
2
emissions including net CO
2
from LULUCF
CO
2
emissions excluding net CO
2
from LULUCF
CH
4
emissions including CH
4
from
LULUCF
CH
4
emissions excluding CH
4
from LULUCF
N
2
O emissions including N
2
O
from LULUCF
N
2
O emissions excluding N
2
O
from LULUCF
HFCs
PFCs
SF
6
Other (specify, e.g. NF
3
)
Total with LULUCF
j
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GHG emissions and removals
b, c
(kt CO
2
eq)
GHG emissions and removals
c, d
(kt CO
2
eq)
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
20ZZ
g
Total without LULUCF
Abbreviations: GHG = greenhouse gas, LULUCF = land use, land-use change and forestry.
a
In accordance with paragraph 25 of these guidelines, at a minimum Parties shall report a ‘with measures’ projection and they may also report ‘without measures’ and
‘with additional measures’ projections. If a Party chooses to report ‘without measures’ and/or ‘with additional measures’ projection, they are to use table 3 and/or 4 below,
respectively. If a Party does not choose to report ‘without measures’ or ‘with additional measures’ projections, then it should not include table 3 or 4 in the national
communication.
b
Emissions and removals reported in these columns should be as reported in the most recent annual inventory submission available and consistent with the emissions
and removals reported in the table on GHG emissions and trends provided in accordance with section IV of these guidelines. Where the sectoral breakdown differs from
that reported in the GHG inventory, Parties should explain in their national communication how the inventory sectors relate to the sectors reported in this table.
c
Parties may include indirect CO
2
emissions in historical GHG emissions and in GHG emission projections and shall indicate this in a custom footnote below.
d
Parties should include projections on a quantitative basis starting from the most recent inventory year (or an earlier year followed by the most recent inventory year)
and for subsequent years that end in either a zero or a five, extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
e
The starting year of the projections.
f
The most recent inventory year, in the case that the projections are started from an earlier year.
g
A year that ends in either a zero or a five, following the most recent inventory year, extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
h
In accordance with paragraph 31 of these guidelines, projections shall be presented on a sectoral basis, to the extent possible, using the same sectoral categories used
in the GHG inventories. This table should follow, to the extent possible, the same sectoral categories as those listed in paragraph 14 of these guidelines; namely, to the
extent appropriate, the following sectors should be considered: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting.
i
To the extent possible, the following sectors should be used: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste, other sectors (i.e. cross-cutting), as appropriate.
j
Parties may choose to report total emissions with or without LULUCF, as appropriate.
k
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Table 4
Information on updated greenhouse gas projections under a ‘with additional measures’ scenario
a
GHG emissions and removals
b, c
(kt CO
2
eq)
GHG emission projections
c, d
(kt CO
2
eq)
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
Sector
g,h
Energy
Transport
Industry/industrial processes and
product use
Agriculture
Forestry/LULUCF
Waste management/waste
Other (specify)
Gas
CO
2
emissions including net CO
2
from LULUCF
CO
2
emissions excluding net CO
2
from LULUCF
CH
4
emissions including CH
4
from LULUCF
CH
4
emissions excluding CH
4
from LULUCF
N
2
O emissions excluding N
2
O
from LULUCF
HFCs
PFCs
SF
6
Other (specify, e.g. NF
3
)
Total with LULUCF
i
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GHG emissions and removals
b, c
(kt CO
2
eq)
GHG emission projections
c, d
(kt CO
2
eq)
Base year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
e
20YY
f
Total without LULUCF
Abbreviations: GHG = greenhouse gas, LULUCF = land use, land-use change and forestry.
a
In accordance with paragraph 25 of these guidelines, at a minimum Parties shall report a ‘with measures’ projection and they may also report ‘without measures’
and ‘with additional measures’ projections. If a Party chooses to report ‘without measures’ and/or ‘with additional measures’ projections, they are to use table 3 and/or 4
below, respectively. If a Party does not choose to report ‘without measures’ or ‘with additional measures’ projections, then it should not include table 3 or 4 in the
national communication.
b
Emissions and removals reported in these columns should be as reported in the most recent annual inventory submission available and consistent with the emissions
and removals reported in the table on GHG emissions and trends provided in accordance with section IV of these guidelines. Where the sectoral breakdown differs from
that reported in the GHG inventory, Parties should explain in their national communication how the inventory sectors relate to the sectors reported in this table.
c
Parties may include indirect CO
2
emissions in historical GHG emissions and in GHG emission projections and shall indicate this in a custom footnote below.
d
Parties should include projections on a quantitative basis starting from the most recent inventory year and for subsequent years that end in either a zero or a five,
extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
e
The most recent inventory year.
f
A year that ends in either a zero or a five, following the most recent inventory year, extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
g
In accordance with paragraph 31 of these guidelines, projections shall be presented on a sectoral basis, to the extent possible, using the same sectoral categories
used in the GHG inventories. This table should follow, to the extent possible, the same sectoral categories as those listed in paragraph 14 of these guidelines; namely, to
the extent appropriate, the following sectors should be considered: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste, other sectors and cross-cutting.
h
To the extent possible, the following sectors should be used: energy, transport, industry/industrial processes and product use, agriculture, forestry/LULUCF, waste
management/waste, other sectors (i.e. cross-cutting), as appropriate.
i
Parties may choose to report total emissions with or without LULUCF, as appropriate.
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
43
35. Figures illustrating the information referred to in paragraphs 3134 above should be
presented showing unadjusted inventory data and a ‘with measures’ projection for the period
from 1990 (or another base year, as appropriate) to the most recent inventory year and for
subsequent years that end in either a zero or a five, extending at least 15 years from the most
recent inventory year. Additional figures may also be presented. The figure below illustrates
the presentation of a hypothetical Party’s projection of emissions. It shows unadjusted
inventory data for the period from 1990 to the most recent inventory year and ‘with
measures’, ‘with additional measures’ and ‘without measures’ projections.
Hypothetical Party’s projection of emissions
E. Assessment of aggregate effect of policies and measures
36. The estimated and expected effects of individual policies and measures are addressed
in the policies and measures section of the national communication. In the projections section
of the national communication, Parties shall present the estimated and expected total effect
of implemented and adopted policies and measures. Parties may also present the total
expected effect of planned policies and measures.
37. Parties shall provide an estimate of the total effect of their policies and measures, in
accordance with the ‘with measures’ definition, compared with a situation without such
policies and measures. That effect shall be presented in terms of GHG emissions avoided or
sequestered, by gas (on a CO
2
eq basis), in the most recent inventory year and in subsequent
years that end in either a zero or a five, extending at least 15 years from the most recent
inventory year (not cumulative savings). This information may be presented in tabular
format.
38. Parties may estimate the total effect of their measures by calculating the difference
between a ‘with measuresand a ‘without measures’ projection. Alternatively, Parties may
use another approach, for example individually assessing the effect of each significant policy
and measure and aggregating the individual effects to arrive at a total. In either case, in the
reporting it should be clear from what year onward it was assumed that policies were
implemented or not implemented in calculating the estimate.
F. Methodology
39. When projecting GHG emissions and removals and estimating the total effects of
policies and measures on emissions and removals, Parties may use any models and/or
approaches that they choose. Sufficient information should be reported in the national
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
44
communication to allow a reader to obtain a basic understanding of such models and/or
approaches.
40. In the interest of transparency, for each model or approach used, Parties should
briefly:
(a) Explain for which gases and/or sectors it was used;
(b) Describe its type and characteristics (for example, top-down model, bottom-up
model, accounting model or expert judgment);
(c) Describe the original purpose that it was designed for and, if applicable, how
it has been modified for climate change purposes;
(d) Summarize its strengths and weaknesses;
(e) Explain how it accounts for any overlap or synergies that may exist between
different policies and measures.
41. Parties should provide references to more detailed information related to the
information referred to in paragraph 40(ae) above.
42. Parties should report the main differences in assumptions, methods employed and
results between the projections reported in the current national communication and those
reported in previous national communications.
43. The sensitivity of the projections to underlying assumptions should be discussed
qualitatively and, where possible, quantitatively.
44. To ensure transparency, Parties should report information on key underlying
assumptions and values of variables such as GDP growth, population growth, tax levels and
international fuel prices, using table 5 below. The information should be limited to that not
covered by paragraph 45 below (i.e. it should not include sector-specific data).
45. To provide the reader with an understanding of emission trends from 1990 to at least
15 years from the most recent inventory year, Parties shall present relevant information on
factors and activities for each sector. Such information may be presented in tabular format.
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
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Table 5
Summary of key variables and assumptions used in the projections analysis
a
Historical
b
Projected
Key
underlying
assumptions
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
20XX
c
20YY
d
a
Parties should include key underlying assumptions, as appropriate.
b
Parties should include the historical data used to develop the greenhouse gas emission projections reported.
c
The most recent inventory year.
d
A year that ends in either a zero or a five following the most recent inventory year, extending at least 15 years from the most recent inventory year.
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
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VII. Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts and
adaptation measures
46. The national communication shall include information on the expected impacts of
climate change and an outline of the action taken to implement Article 4, paragraph 1(b) and
(e), of the Convention with regard to adaptation. Parties are encouraged to use and reference
relevant methodologies and guidance for assessing climate change impacts, vulnerability and
adaptation measures. Parties may refer, inter alia, to integrated plans for coastal zone
management, water resources and agriculture. Parties may also report on specific results of
scientific research in the field of vulnerability assessment and adaptation.
47. Parties are encouraged to use the following structure when reporting information in
this section:
(a) Climate modelling, projections and scenarios: for example, updated
information on climate modelling, climate projections and scenarios relevant to the
assessment of climate change impacts and vulnerability;
(b) Assessment of risks and vulnerability to climate change: for example, updated
information on key economic, social and/or environmental vulnerabilities or risks related to
current and expected climate change impacts;
(c) Climate change impacts: for example, updated information on both observed
and potential future impacts of climate change;
(d) Domestic adaptation policies and strategies: for example, updated information
on progress on adaptation policies, strategies or plans that illustrate the Party’s medium- and
long-term approaches to addressing risks and vulnerability through its broader domestic
development and sectoral planning;
(e) Monitoring and evaluation framework: for example, updated information on
approaches to the monitoring and evaluation of implemented adaptation strategies or plans;
(f) Progress and outcomes of adaptation action: for example, updated information
on adaptation measures taken to address current risks and vulnerabilities and on their status
of implementation; and updated information on progress and, where possible, outcomes and
the effectiveness of already implemented adaptation measures.
VIII. Financial, technological and capacity-building support
48. Parties included in Annex II to the Convention (Annex II Parties) shall provide
information on the provision of financial, technological and capacity-building support to
Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention (non-Annex I Parties), including
information to show how this support is new and additional. In reporting such information,
Parties should distinguish, to the extent possible, between support provided to non-Annex I
Parties for mitigation and adaptation activities, noting the capacity-building elements of such
activities, where relevant. For activities with multiple objectives, the funding could be
reported as a contribution allocated partially to the other relevant objectives.
49. Each Annex II Party shall provide a description of its national approach to the tracking
of the provision of financial, technological and capacity-building support to non-Annex I
Parties, if appropriate. This description shall also include information on indicators and
delivery mechanisms used and allocation channels tracked.
50. In reporting information in accordance with paragraphs 52 and 53 below, Annex II
Parties shall use any methodology to be developed under the Convention, taking into account
international experience. Annex II Parties shall describe the methodology used and shall
report in a rigorous, robust and transparent manner the underlying assumptions and
methodologies used to produce information on finance.
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
47
A. Finance
51. Each Annex II Party shall describe, to the extent possible, how it seeks to ensure that
the resources it provides effectively address the needs of non-Annex I Parties with regard to
climate change adaptation and mitigation.
52. Each Annex II Party shall provide information on the financial support that it has
disbursed and committed for the purpose of assisting non-Annex I Parties to mitigate GHG
emissions and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and any economic and social
consequences of response measures, and for capacity-building and technology transfer in the
areas of mitigation and adaptation, where appropriate. To that end, each Annex II Party shall
provide summary information in textual and tabular format (see tables 6, 7 and 8 below) on
allocation channels and annual contributions for the previous two calendar or financial years,
without overlapping with the previous reporting periods, including, as appropriate, the
following:
(a) The Global Environment Facility, the Least Developed Countries Fund, the
Special Climate Change Fund, the Adaptation Fund, the Green Climate Fund and the
UNFCCC Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities;
(b) Other multilateral climate change funds;
(c) Multilateral financial institutions, including regional development banks;
(d) Specialized United Nations bodies;
(e) Contributions through bilateral, regional and other channels.
53. Each Annex II Party shall provide the summary information referred to in paragraph
52 above for the previous two calendar or financial years in textual and tabular format on the
annual financial support that it has provided for the purpose of assisting non-Annex I Parties,
including the following:
(a) The amount of financial resources (including the amount in original currency
and its equivalent in United States dollars/international currency);
(b) The type of support (for mitigation and adaptation activities);
(c) The source of funding;
(d) The financial instrument;
(e) The sector;
(f) An indication of what new and additional financial resources it has provided
pursuant to Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Convention, including clarification of how it has
determined that such resources are new and additional.
54. Each Annex II Party shall provide detailed information on the assistance provided by
it for the purpose of assisting developing country Parties that are particularly vulnerable to
the adverse effects of climate change in meeting the costs of adaptation to those adverse
effects, in textual format and with reference to table 6 below.
55. Recognizing that the goal of mobilizing financial resources referred to in decision
1/CP.16, paragraph 98, includes private financial sources, each Annex II Party should report,
to the extent possible, on private financial flows leveraged by bilateral climate finance
towards mitigation and adaptation activities in non-Annex I Parties, and should report on
policies and measures that promote the scaling up of private investment in mitigation and
adaptation activities in developing country Parties.
56. Each Annex II Party should specify the types of instrument used in the provision of
their assistance, such as grants and concessional loans.
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Table 6
Provision of public financial support: summary information in 20XX-3
a
Year
Allocation channel
Domestic currency
USD
b
Core/
general
c, 1
Climate-specific
d, 2
Core/
general
c
Climate-specific
d,2
Mitigation
Adaptation
Cross-
cutting
e
Other
f
Mitigation
Adaptation
Cross-
cutting
e
Other
f
Total contributions
through multilateral
channels:
Multilateral climate
change funds
g
Other multilateral
climate change funds
h
Multilateral financial
institutions, including
regional development
banks
Specialized United
Nations bodies
Total contributions
through bilateral, regional
and other channels
Total
Note: Explanation of numerical footnotes is provided in the documentation box after tables 6, 7 and 8.
a
Parties should fill in a separate table for each year, namely 20XX-3 and 20XX-2, where 20XX is the reporting year.
b
Parties should provide an explanation of the methodology used for currency exchange for the information provided in tables 6, 7 and 8 in the documentation box.
c
This refers to support provided to multilateral institutions that Parties cannot specify as being climate-specific.
d
Parties should explain in their national communication how they define funds as being climate-specific.
e
This refers to funding for activities that are cross-cutting across mitigation and adaptation.
f
Please specify.
g
Multilateral climate change funds listed in paragraph 52(a) of these guidelines.
h
Other multilateral climate change funds as referred to in paragraph 52(b) of these guidelines.
FCCC/CP/2019/13/Add.1
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Table 7
Provision of public financial support: contributions through multilateral channels in 20XX-3
a
Donor funding
Total amount
Status
b, 3
Funding
source
4
Financial
instrument
5
Type of
support
6
Sector
c, 7
Core/general
d, 1
Climate-specific
e, 2
Committed
Disbursed
ODA
OOF
Other
f
Grant
Concessional
loan
Non-concessional
loan
Equity
Other
f
Mitigation
Adaptation
Cross-
cutting
g
Other
f
Energy
Transport
Industry
Agriculture
Forestry
Water and sanitation
Cross-cutting
Other
f
Not applicable
Domestic
currency
USD
Domestic
currency
USD
Multilateral climate change funds
1. Global Environment Facility
2. Least Developed Countries Fund
3. Special Climate Change Fund
4. Adaptation Fund
5. Green Climate Fund
6. UNFCCC Trust Fund for Supplementary Activities
7. Other multilateral climate change funds
Subtotal
Multilateral financial institutions, including regional
development banks
1. World Bank
2. International Finance Corporation
3. African Development Bank
4. Asian Development Bank
5. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
6. Inter-American Development Bank
7. Other
Subtotal
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Donor funding
Total amount
Status
b, 3
Funding
source
4
Financial
instrument
5
Type of
support
6
Sector
c, 7
Core/general
d, 1
Climate-specific
e, 2
Committed
Disbursed
ODA
OOF
Other
f
Grant
Concessional
loan
Non-concessional
loan
Equity
Other
f
Mitigation
Adaptation
Cross-
cutting
g
Other
f
Energy
Transport
Industry
Agriculture
Forestry
Water and sanitation
Cross-cutting
Other
f
Not applicable
Domestic
currency
USD
Domestic
currency
USD
Specialized United Nations bodies
1. United Nations Development Programme
(specific programmes)
2. United Nations Environment Programme
(specific programmes)
3. Other
Subtotal
Total
Note: Explanation of numerical footnotes is provided in the documentation box after tables 6, 7 and 8.
Abbreviations: ODA = official development assistance, OOF = other official flows.
a
Parties should fill in a separate table for each year, namely 20XX-3 and 20XX-2, where 20XX is the reporting year.
b
Parties should explain, in their national communication, the methodologies used to specify the funds as disbursed and committed. Parties will provide the information for
as many status categories as appropriate in the following order of priority: disbursed and committed.
c
Parties may select several applicable sectors. Parties may report sectoral distribution, as applicable, under “Other”.
d
This refers to support provided to multilateral institutions that Parties cannot specify as being climate-specific.
e
Parties should explain in their national communication how they define funds as being climate-specific.
f
Please specify.
g
This refers to funding for activities that are cross-cutting across mitigation and adaptation.
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Table 8
Provision of public financial support: contributions through bilateral, regional and other channels in 20XX-3
a
Recipient country/
region/project/programme/activity
b
Total amount
Status
c, 3
Funding
source
4
Financial
instrument
5
Type of
support
6
Sector
,d, 7
Additional
information
e
Climate-specific
f, 2
Committed
Disbursed
ODA
OOF
Other
g
Grant
Concessional loan
Non-concessional
loan
Equity
Other
g
Mitigation
Adaptation
Cross-cutting
h
Other
g
Energy
Transport
Industry
Agriculture
Forestry
Water and sanitation
Cross-cutting
Other
g
Domestic
currency
USD
Note: Explanation of numerical footnotes is provided in the documentation box after tables 6, 7 and 8.
Abbreviations: ODA = official development assistance, OOF = other official flows.
Parties should fill in a separate table for each year, namely 20XX-3 and 20XX-2, where 20XX is the reporting year.
a
Parties should report, to the extent possible, on the details contained in this table.
b
Parties should explain, in their national communication, the methodologies used to specify the funds as disbursed and committed. Parties will provide the
information for as many status categories as appropriate in the following order of priority: disbursed and committed.
c
Parties may select several applicable sectors. Parties may report sectoral distribution, as applicable, under “Other”.
d
Parties should report, as appropriate, on project details and the implementing agency.
e
Parties should explain in their national communication how they define funds as being climate-specific.
f
Please specify.
g
This refers to funding for activities that are cross-cutting across mitigation and adaptation.
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Documentation box
1: Core/general
2: Climate-specific
3: Status
4: Funding source
5: Financial instrument
6: Type of support
7: Sector
Each Party shall provide an indication of what new and additional financial resources it has provided and clarify how it has determined that such resources are new and
additional. Please provide this information in relation to tables 7 and 8
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B. Technology development and transfer
57. Each Annex II Party shall provide information on measures taken to promote,
facilitate and finance the transfer of, access to and the deployment of climate-friendly
technologies for the benefit of non-Annex I Parties and for the support of the development
and enhancement of endogenous capacities and technologies of non-Annex I Parties. Parties
shall, where feasible, report activities related to technology transfer, including success and
failure stories, using table 9 below.
58. Each Annex II Party shall provide, in textual and tabular formats (see table 10 below),
information on measures and activities related to technology transfer implemented or planned
since its previous national communication or biennial report. In reporting such measures and
activities, Annex II Parties shall, to the extent possible, provide information on the recipient
country, the targeted area of mitigation or adaptation, the sector involved and the sources of
technology transfer from the public or private sectors, and shall distinguish between activities
undertaken by the public and private sectors. As the ability of Parties to collect adequate
information on private-sector activities is limited, Parties may indicate, where feasible, how
they have encouraged private-sector activities and how those activities help Parties to meet
their commitments under Article 4, paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, of the Convention.
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Table 9
Description of selected projects or programmes that promoted practicable
steps to facilitate and/or finance the transfer of, or access to, environmentally sound
technologies
Project/programme title:
Purpose:
Recipient country:
Sector:
Total funding:
Years in operation:
Description:
Factors that led to project/programme’s success:
Technology transferred:
Impact on greenhouse gas emissions/removals (optional):
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Table 10
Provision of support for technology development and transfer
a, b
Recipient country
and/or region
Targeted area
Measures and
activities related to
technology transfer
Sector
c
Source of funding for
technology transfer
Activities undertaken
by
Status
Additional information
d
Mitigation
Adaptation
Mitigation and
adaptation
Energy
Transport
Industry
Agriculture
Water and
sanitation
Other
Private
Public
Private and public
Private
Public
Private and public
Implemented
Planned
a
To be reported to the extent possible.
b
The table should include measures and activities implemented or planned since the previous national communication or biennial report.
c
Parties may report sectoral disaggregation, as appropriate.
d
Additional information may include, for example, information on funding for technology development and transfer provided, a short description of the measure or activity and
information on cofinancing arrangements.
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C. Capacity-building
59. Each Annex II Party shall provide information, to the extent possible, on how it has
provided capacity-building support that responds to existing and emerging capacity-building
needs identified by non-Annex I Parties in the areas of mitigation, adaptation and technology
development and transfer. Information should be reported in textual and tabular format (see
table 11 below) as a description of individual measures and activities.
Table 11
Provision of capacity-building support
a
Recipient country/region
Targeted area
Programme or project
title
Description of programme or
project
b, c
Mitigation
Adaptation
Technology development and transfer
Multiple areas
a
To be reported to the extent possible.
b
Each Party included in Annex II to the Convention shall provide information, to the extent possible, on how it has
provided capacity-building support that responds to existing and emerging capacity-building needs identified by
Parties not included in Annex I to the Convention in the areas of mitigation, adaptation and technology development
and transfer.
c
Additional information may be provided on, for example, the measure or activity and cofinancing arrangements.
IX. Research and systematic observation
60. Pursuant to Articles 4, paragraph 1(g) and (h), 5 and 12, paragraph 1(b), of the
Convention, Annex I Parties shall communicate information on their actions relating to
research and systematic observation.
61. The national communication shall address both domestic and international activities
(for example, the activities of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World
Climate Research Programme, Future Earth and the Global Climate Observing System) and
also reflect action taken to support related capacity-building in developing countries.
62. Parties shall provide summary information on global climate observing system
activities in accordance with paragraph 67 below. To guide the reporting under sections A
and C below, Parties should refer to the detailed guidance provided in the revised “UNFCCC
reporting guidelines on global climate observing systems” (annex to decision 11/CP.13) and
any relevant decisions subsequently adopted by the COP.
63. The national communication should report, in summary form, on action taken. For
example, the results of research studies, model runs or data analysis should not be included
in this section.
A. General policy on and funding of research and systematic observation
64. Parties should provide information on their general policy on and funding of research
and systematic observation.
65. Parties should identify opportunities for and barriers to free and open international
exchange of data and information and report on action taken to overcome such barriers.
B. Research
66. Parties should provide, inter alia, information on highlights, innovations and
significant efforts made with regard to:
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57
(a) Climate process and climate system studies, including paleoclimatic studies;
(b) Modelling and prediction, including global and regional climate models;
(c) Research on the impacts of climate change;
(d) Socioeconomic analysis, including analysis of both the impacts of climate
change and response options;
(e) Research and development of mitigation and adaptation approaches, including
technologies.
C. Systematic observation
67. Parties should provide summary information on the current status of national plans,
programmes and support for ground- and space-based climate observing systems, including
long-term continuity of data, data quality control and availability, and exchange and
archiving of data in the following areas:
(a) Atmospheric climate observing systems, including those measuring
atmospheric constituents;
(b) Ocean climate observing systems;
(c) Terrestrial climate observing systems;
(d) Cryosphere climate observing systems;
(e) Support for developing countries to establish and maintain observing systems
and related data and monitoring systems.
X. Education, training and public awareness
68. In accordance with Articles 4, paragraph 1(i), 6 and 12, paragraph 1(b), of the
Convention, Annex I Parties shall communicate information on their actions relating to
education, training and public awareness. In this section, Parties should report, inter alia, on
public information and education materials, resource or information centres, training
programmes and participation in international activities. Parties may report on the extent of
public participation in the preparation or domestic review of the national communication.
69. The national communication may present information on such aspects as:
(a) General policy on education, training and public awareness;
(b) Primary, secondary and higher education;
(c) Public information campaigns;
(d) Training programmes;
(e) Resource or information centres;
(f) Involvement of the public and non-governmental organizations;
(g) Participation in international activities;
(h) Monitoring, review and evaluation of the implementation of Article 6 of the
Convention.
XI. Updating of the guidelines
70. These guidelines shall be reviewed and revised, as appropriate, in accordance with
relevant COP decisions.
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XII. Structure of the national communication
71. The information identified in these guidelines shall be communicated by each Party
in a single document in one of the official languages of the United Nations. Parties shall
provide an electronic version of their national communication to the secretariat through the
appropriate UNFCCC submission system. The length of the national communication may be
decided by the submitting Party, but every effort shall be made to avoid overlong national
communications, in order to facilitate the consideration process.
72. Where supplementary documents are provided as annexes to the national
communication, the annexes are considered as part of the national communication itself. A
clear reference to the relevant information in the annexes should be provided in the main text
of the national communication.
73. Where statistical data are provided, they should be accompanied by a definition of
terms, unless they are obvious.
74. To facilitate the transparency, comparability and consistency of national
communications, Parties shall organize the content of their national communication
following the outline contained in the appendix and may rephrase the subsection headings as
appropriate and explain the reasons for rephrasing. To ensure completeness, no mandatory
element shall be excluded. If mandatory elements cannot be reported for any reason, the Party
shall explain the reason for partial reporting in the section relating to those elements.
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Appendix
Structure of the national communication
I. Executive summary
II. National circumstances relevant to greenhouse gas
emissions and removals
III. Greenhouse gas inventory information
A. Summary tables
B. Descriptive summary
C. National inventory arrangements
IV. Policies and measures
A. Policymaking process
B. Policies and measures and their effects
C. Policies and measures no longer in place
V. Projections and total effect of policies and measures
A. Projections
B. Assessment of aggregate effect of policies and measures
C. Methodology
VI. Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts and
adaptation measures
VII. Financial, technological and capacity-building support
A. Finance
B. Technology development and transfer
C. Capacity-building
VIII. Research and systematic observation
A. General policy on and funding of research and systematic observation
B. Research
C. Systematic observation
IX. Education, training and public awareness
Annex. Supplementary documents
7
th
plenary meeting
12 December 2019